The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
All roads lead to Brechin as showtime nears
Across the county horses are being washed, cattle clipped and sheep preened as the clock counts down on the final preparations for Angus Show this weekend.
For organisers and competitors, excitement will be building but perhaps no one will be feeling the nerves more than new Angus Agricultural Society secretary Ashleigh Forfar, who is at the helm of the show this year for the first time.
Ashleigh, who lives near the event site at Brechin, has come to the show following a career in the banking sector and, as a close friend of the previous incumbent Nici Smith, she has enjoyed a smooth transition into the role.
“I’m really excited for the show but obviously I’m also a little bit nervous as it’s my first year as secretary,” explained Ashleigh.
“However, we have a really great team on the committee and that really does makes all the difference.”
As a farmer’s daughter, Ashleigh knows all too well what it is like to be on the inside of the show ring – she has helped her father Graeme Mather in the production of his Shandford herd of Charolais cattle over the years – but she has also spent many years enjoying the Angus Show as a spectator and mother of three young children.
“The show provides a really great mix of competition and entertainment. We really think there’s something for everyone, no matter your age,” she added.
As work continues fervently behind the scenes, Ashleigh revealed some exciting new line-ups have been added to the main ring attraction list for 2017.
Top of the bill will be the Ore Country Terriers and Scotland’s cycle stunt team, The Clan – described as one of the most exciting and daring displays currently performing on the event circuit.
“We also have a tug o’ war competition this year, which is sure to be a favourite for the farming community, she added.
“We would love to see as many amateur teams taking part in it as possible.”
While livestock entries for sheep, beef cattle and dairy goats have come in on a par with previous years, bumper numbers of competitors are catalogued across the light horse sections, most notably for Mountain and Moorland ponies.
“There is also a healthy entry within the Clydesdale Horse section this year and that will be lovely to see,” said Ashleigh.
The gates to the show field open to the public at 9am on Saturday,
Adult tickets cost £10, children and concessions cost £5, whilst under-12s go free.
The ever popular, high-octane tractor pulling contest will also take place, once again, on the Friday and Saturday evening.